tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32388490133103740162018-09-16T23:38:21.254-07:00Old man, big kidramblings of a wrinklyOld man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-73253569041268847152015-06-03T06:45:00.003-07:002015-06-04T02:38:03.889-07:00Ridge Ride<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/317359239/embed/1b2ac3b8128725a2d48bdb432db823a97c0c7be1" width="590"></iframe><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FjL7eV7JMM/VXAcY9aSWuI/AAAAAAAAAR0/lTf7n6Kbwkg/s1600/11402851_1081214708558621_3751566762938675079_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FjL7eV7JMM/VXAcY9aSWuI/AAAAAAAAAR0/lTf7n6Kbwkg/s640/11402851_1081214708558621_3751566762938675079_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-1043471937986485992015-05-28T07:18:00.001-07:002015-05-28T07:22:17.678-07:00Morning ride<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://www.strava.com/activities/313478877/embed/6e4e6fadd35c120e7aa0d22144e9e5f68f7ec4f1" width="590"></iframe>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-76299653007204571502015-05-22T08:36:00.001-07:002015-05-28T07:22:49.403-07:00Forest of Dean<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/309454216/embed/c36fc3b936636f3eb2276263d3d6bddb4e7296bf" width="590"></iframe> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WlnvcRlAZgw/VWckUt_ZGGI/AAAAAAAAARM/9knx9HJQ3is/s1600/Me%2Bat%2Bthe%2Btop%2Bof%2Bthe%2BVerderer%2527s%2BTrail%2Bin%2Bthe%2BForest%2Bof%2BDean.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WlnvcRlAZgw/VWckUt_ZGGI/AAAAAAAAARM/9knx9HJQ3is/s400/Me%2Bat%2Bthe%2Btop%2Bof%2Bthe%2BVerderer%2527s%2BTrail%2Bin%2Bthe%2BForest%2Bof%2BDean.jpg" width="400" /></a>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-22836311601067556312014-06-12T10:18:00.001-07:002014-06-22T11:02:16.701-07:00Vortex at the planet Cenarth!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHHNgn-mkAo/U5nbiYJvrLI/AAAAAAAAAPI/KSSdMwZcT98/s1600/vortex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHHNgn-mkAo/U5nbiYJvrLI/AAAAAAAAAPI/KSSdMwZcT98/s1600/vortex.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />One of my photos was 'explored' again on Flickr!<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Took this shot through one of the round holes in the bridge structure at Cenarth, but squint and it looks almost planetary! Total fluke, not contrived in any way. Only really noticed the effect once I downloaded it onto the Mac.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RwYYyBzl79E/U5nb9zriJKI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/sL2LX3zbKq8/s1600/hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RwYYyBzl79E/U5nb9zriJKI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/sL2LX3zbKq8/s1600/hole.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>Here is one of the shots I took last year at the same location. I do love Cenarth. I love its history, its visual charm and its ever changing photo opportunities. See the rest of my Cenarth shots <a href="http://www.ipernity.com/doc/oldmanbigkid/album/676387?view=0">here</a>. The shot of the two fisherman on 'flat rock' has had the most views of any photograph I've published, with a total of over 6,859 views on Flickr with 134 people 'favouriting' it. Very unexpected I have to say, but very satisfying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-60970673827741060582014-05-28T08:22:00.001-07:002014-05-28T08:41:20.479-07:00A justification for challenging religion<div style="text-align: left;"><br />Some people have, perfectly understandably, questioned my increasingly common criticisms of religion on the basis, as I see it, that religion deserves the same tolerance and respect as my atheism. In fact antitheism would be more accurate in my case! Besides, I'm not sure that that atheism, given it is an essentially neutral or close to neutral position, actual requires or demands tolerance or respect. In fact there is a sound argument that the word should not even exist.<br /><br />To quote Sam Harris....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEuzbBpwd38/U4XK4tICYiI/AAAAAAAAAN8/ZHZWnNBgh9M/s1600/FlKE9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEuzbBpwd38/U4XK4tICYiI/AAAAAAAAAN8/ZHZWnNBgh9M/s1600/FlKE9.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />However, for simplicity and the sake of this blog I will continue to use it.<br /><br />Some people I'm sure will think I should be a 'passive' atheist and not try to influence others in favour of atheism, in the same way as there are many "passive' religious folk who do not attempt to influence others in favour of their religion, and that atheists should adopt a "live and let live attitude" towards religion and theism. My view is that atheists should be more active critics of religion and theism, but this deserves at the very least an attempt at an explanation.<br /><br />This will be no essay, but a selection of quotes and plagiarised text that I feel explains this view. They articulate it much better than me. So, why do I think religion is bad?<br /><br />I think I could do worse than start with this quotation....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQfS-Fxen0I/U4XW0OxCP1I/AAAAAAAAAOM/whXY2mwxeFI/s1600/14006_455705031173128_1470869474_n-e1365436155210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQfS-Fxen0I/U4XW0OxCP1I/AAAAAAAAAOM/whXY2mwxeFI/s1600/14006_455705031173128_1470869474_n-e1365436155210.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I used to be satisfied just smiling and nodding whenever anyone would begin on the topic of religion. After all, there’s no need to argue with someone over something as frivolous as their supernatural beliefs. I mean, it’s just not polite, is it?<br /><br />But over time, I started to see what religion is doing to the world in which we live.<br /><br />I will admit, at a basic level, it almost seems like a good idea; certainly, harmless enough. Religion provides a good deal of charity to communities, it offers support and guidance to those in need, and it fills advocacy roles which may be missed in government policies.<br /><br />But at what price?<br /><br />Let me be clear, it’s not my intention to pick on any one religion – most of them have the same attributes: 1) belief in the supernatural, 2) a moral code with supernatural origins, and 3) the need to spread their “truth” to the uninitiated.<br /><br />The only religion that doesn’t fit the above three characteristics is buddhism. Buddhism’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is quoted as saying “Don’t become a Buddhist. The world doesn’t need more buddhists. Do practice compassion. The world needs more compassion.” Can you imagine the Pope saying don’t bother becoming a catholic?<br /><br />Nevertheless, &nbsp;christianity is the most pervasive and influential of all the religions, and their fundamentalist members are probably the biggest threat to civilised society. Islam is influential in that civilised society feels the need to tiptoe around their beliefs, and extremist muslims may appear prone to committing acts of violence, but muslims don’t hold the same amount of sway as christians do in the west.<br /><br />So why is religion bad? Well, here’s the thing – it isn’t so much what a person believes, but what follows as their behaviour that is harmful.<br /><br />After centuries of scientific advancement, there is a movement afoot to drag us backwards so a supernatural belief system can survive another few years before finally fading into obscurity. Religions are fighting back, recruiting the naive and the uneducated, and attempting to discredit the science and have their supernatural explanations taught alongside. For me, this is what makes religion so bad.<br /><br />It would be a quaint notion, if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s affecting society as a whole: bans on condoms and abortions threaten families; bans on using stem cells holds back medical research; justifying sexism and homophobia create an atmosphere of hate and separation; and forced genital mutilation of children is just about the single most fucked-up, barbaric throw-back to the bronze age I can think of.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHG8F0Keu9k/U4YDc2jev0I/AAAAAAAAAOw/q79YF0DMe-Y/s1600/kE9lc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHG8F0Keu9k/U4YDc2jev0I/AAAAAAAAAOw/q79YF0DMe-Y/s1600/kE9lc.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />As religions attempt to remain relevant, they are – whether inadvertently or deliberately – actually hurting our society.<br /><br />Richard Dawkins says “I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world.”<br /><br />Well that’s true, but I’m afraid religion is far more insidious than just wanting to stick their collective heads in the sand when it comes to the scientific evidence.<br /><br />Religion is trying to remain relevant by discrediting scientific fact in order to dupe people into believing their lies. Religions are wrong, they are lying to you, and we can no longer afford to smile and nod politely.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIumSmUe2gA/U4XiKgQ1WrI/AAAAAAAAAOg/NW62QUah8Zo/s1600/Never-be-a-spectator-of-unfairness-or-stupidity.-The-grave-will-supply-plenty-of-time-for-silence-picture-quote-by-Cristopher-Hitchens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIumSmUe2gA/U4XiKgQ1WrI/AAAAAAAAAOg/NW62QUah8Zo/s1600/Never-be-a-spectator-of-unfairness-or-stupidity.-The-grave-will-supply-plenty-of-time-for-silence-picture-quote-by-Cristopher-Hitchens.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-74900761292372080162013-08-07T09:24:00.000-07:002013-08-07T09:24:44.085-07:00ipernity v Flickr - a comparison of traffic<br /><div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.357; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Don't get me wrong, I love ipernity. It gives me the simple, uncluttered interface I so loved on the old Flickr, in contrast to the horrible 'in your face' mess that is Flickr now. However, I noticed that despite administering my ipernity account as I did with Flickr - commenting on others photographs, fostering the right contacts, joining appropriate groups, I cannot get anything like the traffic I did on Flickr.<br /><br />To give you an example. A photograph I uploaded to ipernity in early June, has (as I write) had 56 views, 4 comments and 9 'faves'<br /><br />Yesterday, as an experiment, I uploaded the same photo to Flickr (and again, as I write) it has received&nbsp;<strong>2,227&nbsp;</strong>views,&nbsp;<strong>13</strong>&nbsp;comments and&nbsp;<strong>66</strong>&nbsp;'faves' and is&nbsp;<strong>#102</strong>&nbsp;on Explored!&nbsp;<strong>That's in one day!&nbsp;</strong><br />In nearly&nbsp;<strong>3 months on ipernity</strong>, my most viewed photograph has had only&nbsp;<strong>88</strong>&nbsp;views, my most popular,&nbsp;<strong>12</strong>&nbsp;'likes' and the most commented photo has&nbsp;<strong>15</strong>&nbsp;comments.<br /><br />So whilst I love ipernity's interface and community, It looks like Flickr is where I will get the most views (and we all like the praise, surely?), I don't know why this should be the case, unless of course, despite the large migration from Flickr after its unilateral interface redesign and membership changes debacle, its still has an overwhelming larger user base?<br /><br />Said photograph.........<br />ipernity<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div class="embed_large" style="background-color: #eeeeee; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 560px;"><img _fcksavedurl="http://u1.ipernity.com/30/92/73/20969273.32b34d40.560.jpg?r1" alt="The sky fell in the river [Flickr Explored]" class="embed" doc_type="jpg" embed_size="l" height="374" id="doc_20969273_thumb" src="http://u1.ipernity.com/30/92/73/20969273.32b34d40.560.jpg?r1" style="height: 334px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 500px;" title="The sky fell in the river [Flickr Explored]" width="560" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br />View on Flickr<br /><a _fcksavedurl="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldmanbigkid/9450157991/" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldmanbigkid/9450157991/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img _fcksavedurl="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/9450157991_93cfb0e2ee_n.jpg" height="213" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/9450157991_93cfb0e2ee_n.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 4px;" width="320" /></a></div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-41626703755458960492013-05-28T10:19:00.000-07:002013-05-28T10:35:02.065-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMuj3fCcIZI/UaTlwG2796I/AAAAAAAAAK4/v1UMTLOPU_Q/s1600/goodbye.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMuj3fCcIZI/UaTlwG2796I/AAAAAAAAAK4/v1UMTLOPU_Q/s400/goodbye.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Goodbye Flickr! It's been a fantastic year, but with its new focus moving away from paying users toward ad-based revenue, it's time for me to take a break. To say I'm disappointed by last week's changes to the service would be an understatement. Despite tens of thousands of complaints on the Flickr feedback page dedicated to the changes, Flickr silence is deafening.<br /><br />At least for now, I've moved my online presence to <a href="http://www.ipernity.com/">IPERNITY</a>. &nbsp;I may go back to Flickr if Yahoo decides to make some serious changes to their business model. But for the time being, I don't expect to be uploading anything more to my photostream.<br /><br />I hope some of my contact on Flickr come over to join me on ipernity.Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-31001460271686723452013-05-28T10:06:00.001-07:002013-05-28T10:32:08.322-07:00You can’t stand out if you’re trying to be like everyone else"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Last summer, the once-a-contender-but-fading-fast Yahoo! got itself Marissa Mayer to be its chief executive officer. (The imitation has gotten to where executives now must have the same first and last initials, it seems.)&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Marissa Mayer took office, issued an edict that all those Yahoo! people who were allowed to work at home must now work at the office or be fired, then said she would be going home now to have a baby. She had the baby, came back to work, and the baby is being raised in a nursery next to her office. I did not make any of that up.</span><br /><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;">Poor Marissa is doing the thing someone who isn't but desperately wants to be cool always does: imitate those who are the real thing. So she has decided to homogenize the various Yahoo! properties, and buy some more, and homogenize them, in a pitiful attempt to be like Facebook.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;">She spent $1.1 billion of other people's money to buy Tumblr, a cool-until-acquired-by-Yahoo! site made up in large part (though not entirely) of pornography copied from other sites. (It does have other stuff, and lots of it, but the porn is always nearby.) Without any warning to or consultation with its 80 million registered members (many of whom paid for the service), she converted Flickr, the Internet's premier photo display site, into a Facebook-ish, Tumblr-ish thing that resembles Windows 8 in both appearance and user backlash. People's carefully constructed sets and picture stories were all piled into one big lump, without their permission. Hello, Flick/Tumbl/r, one of the Internet's top-20 Facebook imitators.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;">And in case she had missed pissing off anyone, she announced at the big Flickr redesign rollout last week that "there's really no such thing as professional photographers anymore." No, just underage drinkers who want to post many fuzzy pieces of evidence that cell phones aren't very good cameras.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;">The nonexistent professional photographers fled en masse, many to a small but lovely site located in France called ipernity.com, whose staff of seven has been overwhelmed but has manged throughout to be calm, welcoming, friendly, and responsive, and they and their site are cool – in short, everything the new Yahoo! ain't. And the ipernity.com people will grow rich because they are who they are, not people trying to appear cool by trying to be something they're not.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;">That's the lesson, I think: imitation is an admission that you think you're behind, that you think whatever you are or have or produce isn't quite enough. And in the cases cited, the admission seems to be an accurate one.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;">You can't homogenize your way to success unless you're a dairy."</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: auto !important;"><em style="color: #424041; font-style: oblique;">Old man, big kid note: Dennis E. Powell was an award-winning reporter in New York and elsewhere before moving to Ohio and becoming a full-time crackpot. His column appears on Mondays. You can reach him at dep@drippingwithirony.com</em></div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-63743056623548401032012-09-23T10:49:00.001-07:002012-10-04T05:13:45.558-07:00<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BP4XAtZ0G4M/UF9Hx0skhrI/AAAAAAAAAKI/IsZ3s8S8lJ8/s1600/vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BP4XAtZ0G4M/UF9Hx0skhrI/AAAAAAAAAKI/IsZ3s8S8lJ8/s320/vote.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Margaret and I attended our second Tesco Wine Fair yesterday at Brunel's Old Station, Bristol. You can taste over 250 different wines from 14 different countries.<br /><br />We tasted lots of wine, from the finest Champagne, sparkling wines and a whole host of red and white wines. We attended a workshop from the head of Tesco's Finest, where she explained the criteria they use to add wines to this range (with accompanying tastings!)<br /><br />We enjoyed it thoroughly (again) and coupled with a nice meal at Bella Italia (courtesy of Tesco Rewards vouchers) we had an excellent afternoon and evening out.<br /><br />It served to reinforce our choice of wine to quaff, one we discovered at last year's fair, from Tuscan producer Piccini, namely Memoro, a non-vintage wine blended from Italian grapes and regions from across the country.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfj9bhQuLTU/UF9KKWHYnbI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Y8mPx_ueFK0/s1600/bw_384648_2fe10f10eaf3063d03c5863808c2788b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfj9bhQuLTU/UF9KKWHYnbI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Y8mPx_ueFK0/s320/bw_384648_2fe10f10eaf3063d03c5863808c2788b.jpg" width="162" /></a>The wine consists of 40% Primitivo (some of which is passito) from Puglia, 30% oak aged Montepulciano from Abruzzo, 20% Nero d'Avola from the island of Sicily and 10% Merlot from the Veneto in the north. Unusual on the nose too, it is a dead ringer for a Port with aromas of cherries and chocolate, woodsmoke and flowers, and a beguiling creaminess.<br /><br />On the palate the unsual Port-like impression continues powerfully, with a slippery, silky texture, quite a lot of sweetness and abundant fruit. It is not fortified like Port, but the flavour and aromatic profile is so reminiscent. There is good acidity and a bit of tannin too, but this really needs some food to stand up to the onslaught of flavour and body - &nbsp;£9.49, Tesco.<br /><br />However, if you keep yours eyes open in-store or on-line, this great wine can be had for £4.90, which is all we've ever paid for it!Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-47961858238296914092012-09-21T11:33:00.001-07:002012-09-21T11:38:58.543-07:00New camera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iul6EsKO6i8/UFytnUm3yOI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/qmTa35wK8ME/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iul6EsKO6i8/UFytnUm3yOI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/qmTa35wK8ME/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div>There have been several occasions recently when I wished I'd a better camera with me than my iPhone at those times where was impractical for me to carry my DSLR kit with me. This is particularly the case if I'm out on the mountain bike, but also if just out shopping in town.<br /><br />I decided therefore to buy a compact digital camera, small enough to fit in my pocket, but without compromising on quality so it would supplement my DSLR photographs on Flickr.<br /><br />After reading several reviews and seeing this particular model with a seriously reduced price in PC World, I opted for the Olympus SZ-11. Boasting 14 megapixels (only slightly less than my Nikon D3100 DSLR at 14.2) it also has an impressive 20x optical zoom which is the equivalent of a 25mm - 500mm telephoto on a 35mm camera!<br /><br />Results to follow!Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-38430937856611976142012-08-12T01:18:00.003-07:002012-08-23T11:03:19.762-07:00'Explored' on FlickrReally pleased today! One of my photographs reached #19 on Flickr Explored! To put that into context, it was #19 out of the 1.5million photos uploaded every day! See more I more images on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldmanbigkid">HERE</a><br /><br />Here it is.............<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GcnjFqPokVk/UCdmpG3hxFI/AAAAAAAAAJM/zuwwgxy8NsA/s1600/Little+Switzerland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GcnjFqPokVk/UCdmpG3hxFI/AAAAAAAAAJM/zuwwgxy8NsA/s640/Little+Switzerland.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></h1><h1 class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="title_div" property="dc:title" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Little Switzerland</span></h1><div class="photo-desc insitu-trigger insitu-highlight" id="description_div" style="cursor: text; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 562px;"><div id="yui_3_5_1_3_1344759347280_1473" style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">View from Ridgeway, Newport, across Ynysyfro Reservoir towards Twmbarlwm. Taken on the ride back from Southerdown with the grandkids, just on the off-chance of a decent shot. The sun was shining through lots of 'pockets' between the clouds onto the fields.</span></div></div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-7846066969183664152012-05-10T09:46:00.000-07:002012-05-12T02:56:12.039-07:00Blog facelift<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-On1dFxu5uzw/T6vvWuBYpuI/AAAAAAAAAHo/-03ORMdJGuU/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-On1dFxu5uzw/T6vvWuBYpuI/AAAAAAAAAHo/-03ORMdJGuU/s200/Unknown.jpeg" width="200" /></a>Finally managed to get this blog looking as close to my web site as possible. Clicking on the links above will take you to the web site (apart from the blog link of course!). Blogger is quite flexible as long as you are patient. Biggest problem was getting rid of those infernal shadow borders around images!<br /><br />Built the new web site, because I can I suppose, but also as a means of showcasing my re-found hobby of photography. Recently bought a Nikon D3100 digital SLR after nearly 30 since owning an SLR. Great reviews for this entry level camera and I'm certainly pleased with it so far. Came with an 18mm - 55mm zoom lens.<br /><br />Invested in a wireless remote shutter release (£11 eBay!) and a tripod (£7 eBay!)<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zC5Tw1xbiqs/T6vwn3qtpeI/AAAAAAAAAH4/ijj5qnxqL_g/s1600/530402_229837743791791_100002967013098_396667_1760636821_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zC5Tw1xbiqs/T6vwn3qtpeI/AAAAAAAAAH4/ijj5qnxqL_g/s640/530402_229837743791791_100002967013098_396667_1760636821_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">This is one of my first photographs. Could certainly do with a longer zoom lens though!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-45063516956643711472012-04-08T06:17:00.001-07:002012-04-12T09:44:55.474-07:00Just for funI found a photograph recently taken outside where I lived in Yorkshire. I think it was probably taken around 1972. I thought it would be fun to update it. Despite it being over 40 years ago, I'm sure you'll agree I look no different ;-) <br /><br />I may have my hair cut shorter and wear a baggier shirt and look less gay though. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQZRWPOvzdQ/T4GP7dMiQaI/AAAAAAAAAFg/Oe1UkeZ3D_o/s1600/carcoll1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQZRWPOvzdQ/T4GP7dMiQaI/AAAAAAAAAFg/Oe1UkeZ3D_o/s640/carcoll1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-9147766602244139972012-03-30T09:20:00.003-07:002012-04-08T11:40:18.686-07:00New summer tyres<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-PXd2JNOrI/T3XX5o95f1I/AAAAAAAAAFA/a2U_9mf0Q04/s1600/541229_205969199511979_100002967013098_339853_1161771077_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-PXd2JNOrI/T3XX5o95f1I/AAAAAAAAAFA/a2U_9mf0Q04/s320/541229_205969199511979_100002967013098_339853_1161771077_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nexen N8000 205/45 R17 88W with rim protection</td></tr></tbody></table>After taking off my winter tyres (what winter?!) I needed to buy 5 summer tyres having sold my Dunlop run-flats last year. <br /><br />The thought of the cost of 5 new performance tyres was worrying me until these were recommended to me. Having read some reviews on-line, and <a href="http://www.carthrottle.com/tire-review-nexen-n8000-on-audi-a4-1-8-tfsi-s-line/" target="_blank">THIS ONE</a>&nbsp;in particular and then discovering the price, I went ahead and had five fitted. I've not been disappointed so far, and on the basis of the reviews have high hopes. These are Nexen’s flagship tyres.<br /><br />I went through a similar process when I bought my winter tyres, and despite some people telling me to steer clear of any tyre from Taiwan (and some even Nankangs in particular) I have not been disappointed with the SV-2s purchased. So confident was I in their performance I even bought Jodi and Jaime sets for their cars.<br /><br />A bit disappointed we haven't had the opportunity to try them out in snow and ice, but in all other respects they have performed well, and I see them lasting us another 3 or 4 winters, if not more. Again, at less than £60 a corner. The deciding factor for me was not how they compared when reviewed against premium winter tyres, but how they performed against the summer tyres I would probably have left on given the high cost of premium winter tyres (which also at the time were like rocking horse shit!)Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-2250082415142830362012-03-20T06:42:00.001-07:002012-04-01T04:46:10.217-07:00More work in progress<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPIlQFiGt4k/T2iHmhqtvqI/AAAAAAAAAEs/FRgMB5rqPoQ/s1600/Photo+20-03-2012+13+02+37+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPIlQFiGt4k/T2iHmhqtvqI/AAAAAAAAAEs/FRgMB5rqPoQ/s400/Photo+20-03-2012+13+02+37+(1).jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice new monitor!</td></tr></tbody></table>Getting there slowly. Just installed my new brushed aluminium 23" IPS monitor (AOC i2353). Excellent service from Ebuyer. Ordered on Sunday evening, delivered this morning, free deliver option! (supposed to be 5 working days)<br /><br />Look! No cables to be seen!&nbsp;Pretty much everything out of sight on shelf under the desk (modem. router, mac Mini, external drives and all that associated spaghetti of cables!<br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">More pics to follow as still more to do</span>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-19749902799860349262012-03-15T02:53:00.001-07:002012-03-20T10:29:54.522-07:00Work in progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgMn2IZX4Ik/T2G7FqcSpPI/AAAAAAAAAEY/MgG5noSYw8s/s1600/Photo+15-03-2012+08+34+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgMn2IZX4Ik/T2G7FqcSpPI/AAAAAAAAAEY/MgG5noSYw8s/s320/Photo+15-03-2012+08+34+27.jpg" width="240" /></a>Decided it was about time I modernised the study. It was looking very tired and cluttered. Stripped out all the old shelves and surfaces and constructed from new. Includes space and runners to take four IKEA storage trays underneath, A lot of varnishing to follow. &nbsp;Pictures of finished room to follow (when finished!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-52505616644401036662012-02-23T14:48:00.003-08:002012-03-20T10:23:05.099-07:00RantSo the CEO of RBS thinks that making a thumping great £multi-million loss (twice that of last year) is a sign of success, and therefore justifies paying out even more in bonuses, despite the people that actually own the company (and take the risks) getting nothing. I suspect that if I approached them with a similar business model and requested a loan I would get shown the door?Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-6121909213316972432012-02-07T03:14:00.000-08:002012-03-27T08:25:39.105-07:00Here's to the crazy ones...I had forgotten this...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">"</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i>Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QgZsuMooSgs/TzEG6Z2PNAI/AAAAAAAAAEE/U98ZXFt9xAw/s1600/tumblr_lspa4xdVsD1qdx0x3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QgZsuMooSgs/TzEG6Z2PNAI/AAAAAAAAAEE/U98ZXFt9xAw/s320/tumblr_lspa4xdVsD1qdx0x3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-51727380924945426512012-01-28T01:51:00.001-08:002012-03-25T11:08:59.884-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I'm loving the book 'Steve Jobs'. (Thanks Marg XX) Some have said it's hard to like Steve Jobs after reading this book. I disagree. What is hard is not to thank him for caring so much about the products and experiences that Apple has enabled us to have. Thanks for for reality distortion field Steve.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6IvkPwfowU/TyPHA55UD2I/AAAAAAAAAD8/1GJdAmjhqSI/s1600/Steve_Jobs_by_Walter_Isaacson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6IvkPwfowU/TyPHA55UD2I/AAAAAAAAAD8/1GJdAmjhqSI/s320/Steve_Jobs_by_Walter_Isaacson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-56419092363988128432011-06-25T06:09:00.000-07:002011-06-25T06:09:07.965-07:00A Sting in the Trail - Day 5<b>DAY 5 - STANHOPE</b><b>&nbsp;TO SUNDERLAND</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B42Ui-Tc1Q8/TgXUXLSI0ZI/AAAAAAAAACo/nVc268QIKKw/s1600/day5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><i><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B42Ui-Tc1Q8/TgXUXLSI0ZI/AAAAAAAAACo/nVc268QIKKw/s1600/day5.jpg" /></i></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LozMGGQSC0/TgXV6b7efII/AAAAAAAAACs/U7G2ecCDhDg/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LozMGGQSC0/TgXV6b7efII/AAAAAAAAACs/U7G2ecCDhDg/s320/24.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">After the debacle of the previous day and still suffering from the disappointment of having to seriously depart from our intended route, we set off on the final leg of the journey in good weather, confident that the worst was now behind us.</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSVzTkPWdXY/TgXV7OCYwRI/AAAAAAAAACw/2k_Mb_sD4fQ/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSVzTkPWdXY/TgXV7OCYwRI/AAAAAAAAACw/2k_Mb_sD4fQ/s320/25.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Apart from a daunting but ridable (makes a change) climb up Crawley Side out of Stanhope, from then on it was 35 miles of mostly downhill with the wind behind us. Our route took us along Waskerley Way, a disused railway track now cycleway over the spectacular Howns farm viaduct, beyond which the route changes its name to the Consett to Sunderland Railway path.</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Apart from crossing a couple of roads, this is a stretch of pleasant cycleway and footpath, complete with sculptures. A short climb at Cox Green where we cross the River Wear to join up with the River Wear Trail for the last three miles of the railway path and eventually the track gives way to tarmac three miles from the coast. Across the river again here and we head for the north pier at Roker, and nearly a mile along the pier to the lighthouse, and we're there!</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2TTSLyTkJ4/TgXZe2q_iJI/AAAAAAAAAC4/FahM2kuHGT0/s1600/10a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2TTSLyTkJ4/TgXZe2q_iJI/AAAAAAAAAC4/FahM2kuHGT0/s1600/10a.jpg" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a pleasant evening in a motel just outside Durham and yet more Theakston's, we travelled back to Newport on the Tuesday, dropping Chris off in the Midlands and returning the bikes back to Saracen. It must be said that the bike served us well over some difficult and testing terrain and suffered no mechanical failures whatsoever and not even a puncture between us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The task was then to set about collecting the money people so generously pledged, particularly the staff of Newport Council. We raised in excess of £1,000 for the Stroke Association and we were well pleased with that. I would like to thank my fellow rider Chris Moody and Ashley Davenport for their support and companionship, in particular to Chris for his planning and organisation. The three of us would like to thank Paul Crumpton and Sarah Thackaray for driving the support vehicle and 'being there'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We would also like to thank......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SARACEN MOUNTAIN BIKES</b> of Warwick for the loan of the excellent Sahara Elite front suspension bikes, spares and clothing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PEDALAWAY</b>, Llangarron for the saddle bags and bar bags.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE HANDMADE FLAPJACK COMPAN</b>Y of Coventry for their generous donation of my favourite food in assorted flavours!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>W BEN EVANS CHEMISTS</b>, Caerleon Road, Newport for the First Aid materials.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SPAR SUPERMARKE</b>T, Caerleon Road, Newport for Mars Bars, Lucosade Sport Isotonic drinks and Bananas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>McCANN ERICKSON</b> for the mobile phone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>ROBERT BROWN</b> for the cellnet phone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>STANDARD TRAFFIC SIGNS</b>, Newport for the decals on the support vehicle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>DEREK PURDY &amp; ADRIAN GIDNEY</b> for researching the route (although there must have been times hen their ears were burning!) and <b>MOUNTAIN BIKING UK</b> for publishing the route details.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-11684560051697666622011-06-19T09:05:00.000-07:002013-06-28T08:44:38.184-07:00A Sting in the Trail - Day 4<b>DAY 4 - DUFTON TO STANHOPE</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8r-a-xLG8aA/Tf3-AvflRHI/AAAAAAAAACg/5CWLAVeFu8g/s1600/day4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8r-a-xLG8aA/Tf3-AvflRHI/AAAAAAAAACg/5CWLAVeFu8g/s1600/day4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It had rained all through the night and was still raining early morning. The forecast was for continued rain throughout the day and cloud cover at 1,000ft. We knew that our route over the northern Pennines that reared up before us would take us above this and therefore knew conditions would be poor. Wet weather gear on, we soon began the climb just out of Kirkland. Initially there was a good farm track, but it started to bite after a few miles. Unfortunately we were going against the grain of the strata which made it more difficult and we were again reduced to walking. By now the rain was driving and visibility decreasing as we continued to climb. As we reach the top, visibility is no more than 50m.<br /><br />It was becoming difficult to distinguish track from stream owing to the volume of water coming off the fells. What should have been a well-defined track that linked to the Pennine Way above Cross Fell suddenly disappeared, with no obvious route in any direction except the way we had come. It was here that we make a foolish error of judgement. Instead of re-tracing our route to see if we had missed a turning, or taking account of the appalling conditions in such a bleak location and resolving to complete this section by road, we continue in the direction the route should have taken us by compass bearings in an effort to recover the track.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47L5vWHoQWs/Tf4eF1eZkPI/AAAAAAAAACk/b6NpUIQZk4U/s1600/mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47L5vWHoQWs/Tf4eF1eZkPI/AAAAAAAAACk/b6NpUIQZk4U/s320/mist.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost in mist near Cross Fell!</td></tr></tbody></table>The next four hours proved to be the most miserable and desperate I've ever spent as we push the bikes, which by now were becoming a serious hinderence to our progress. We wander for six miles like this and were by now well and truly lost, with no features to pinpoint our position on the map. The only option was to take a direction that would bring us down from this dreadful place (who said Hell had to be hot!) which was to be north-east. After what seemed like a lifetime and with constant detours around deep gullies we came upon a dry stone wall. Somehow making the correct decision as to which direction to follow the wall, we begin to descend. Our spirits rising, we eventually drop below the mist and see a tarmac road below us. Never can mountain bikes have been so please to see tarmac!<br /><br />After much needed cups of tea in an oasis of a cafe, we get our bearings and are shocked to see just how far north we are of our anticipated position we really were. We make our way to Stanhope by road and arrive safely though somewhat late at our accommodation - the Queens Head - and it sells Theakston's<br /><br /><i><a href="http://oldmanbigkid.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/sting-in-trail-day-5.html">Day 5 (final day).....</a></i>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-77651713475959169852011-06-18T08:04:00.000-07:002013-06-28T08:43:10.160-07:00A Sting in the Trail - Day 3<b>DAY 3 - AMBLESIDE TO DUFTON</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tNHfztJbK8A/Tfyg7xPXCiI/AAAAAAAAACI/vMqziDNpzBE/s1600/day3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tNHfztJbK8A/Tfyg7xPXCiI/AAAAAAAAACI/vMqziDNpzBE/s1600/day3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzgCrrghz6c/TfyjuwpbLUI/AAAAAAAAACM/WjDF-KRdJ6Y/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzgCrrghz6c/TfyjuwpbLUI/AAAAAAAAACM/WjDF-KRdJ6Y/s320/22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The morning greets us with fine weather so we stow the wet weather gear and reassemble the bikes. The first few miles out of Ambleside are a mixture of good farm roads and bridleway to Troutbeck, with a superb view over Windemere on the way. &nbsp;Out of Troutbeck our route takes us to High Street, an ancient road first documented by the Romans and used by traders and drovers.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GawsfizyT-c/TfynAzcOfXI/AAAAAAAAACQ/QXJZvg2v6WM/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GawsfizyT-c/TfynAzcOfXI/AAAAAAAAACQ/QXJZvg2v6WM/s320/23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris heading for the top of Yoke!</td></tr></tbody></table>Here we are to make our first navigational mistake. We are not sure how we managed to miss it, but we know now that the bridleway split, with High Street proper following the valley before making its ascent. We took the higher route, perhaps through following the many walkers that were out that day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xuQOYtsSSj8/TfynvCcEa9I/AAAAAAAAACU/xi6YnyPMOCE/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xuQOYtsSSj8/TfynvCcEa9I/AAAAAAAAACU/xi6YnyPMOCE/s320/27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This route was to take us along the ridge line, up and over at least three crags, and whilst the views it afforded us were good, the going was difficult after the rain of the previous night and it was back to shouldering the bikes. It was not until we were within a mile of rejoining the correct route that a walker enquired as to our presence on a footpath. After studying the map further we realised our mistake. A look back along the route we had just taken and we were not in the best of humour after our efforts. Chris commented to the walker that it didn't make much difference us being on the footpath as we had carried the bikes for the last six miles!<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Yu-B2lQGV8/Tfypm8G_4BI/AAAAAAAAACY/8vBbn6ocT6s/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Yu-B2lQGV8/Tfypm8G_4BI/AAAAAAAAACY/8vBbn6ocT6s/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and I enjoy the view over Kentmere reservoir</td></tr></tbody></table>Picking up the route again at Thornwaite Beacon, we climb steadily, now thankfully on the bikes to the summit of High Street (828m) the highest point on the whole ride. From this ridge there is an incredible view of Haweswater reservoir as we ride the straits of Riggindale, bearing right towards High Raise. Here you get an amazing feeling of height and space. Thereafter the plateau ride was mainly downhill, but crossed by boggy strips where, if the wrong route is chosen results in almost sunken bike - guess who always took the wrong route!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuAYJ7EGaLo/Tfy9fBzpPHI/AAAAAAAAACc/TDUFl-J4wUY/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuAYJ7EGaLo/Tfy9fBzpPHI/AAAAAAAAACc/TDUFl-J4wUY/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Across Loadpot Hill we start the long descent down to Askham, cross over the M6, through Temple Sowerby and on to the Youth Hostel at Dufton. Lo and behold the only pub in Dufton happens to be right opposite the Youth Hostel, and after more Theakston's and darts, we retire to our bunks for a well-earned rest.<br /><br /><i><a href="http://oldmanbigkid.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/sting-in-trail-day-4.html">Day 4.....</a></i></div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-13485170760272958042011-06-18T04:36:00.000-07:002013-06-28T08:41:50.184-07:00A Sting in the Trail - Day 2<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b>DAY 2 - WASDALE HEAD TO AMBLESIDE</b></span></i></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUOE8olCPXM/TfxcuJ22HnI/AAAAAAAAABc/ieiWROjcUfU/s1600/day2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUOE8olCPXM/TfxcuJ22HnI/AAAAAAAAABc/ieiWROjcUfU/s1600/day2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKvhs11bPlY/TfxfAjh39oI/AAAAAAAAABg/WbTC5pE6EwU/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKvhs11bPlY/TfxfAjh39oI/AAAAAAAAABg/WbTC5pE6EwU/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me shouldering my back on the long climb out of<br />Wasdale Head to Sty Head</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">With a little trepidation, but the advantage of a full English breakfast, we set off for on the next leg, to Ambleside. Notwithstanding the description of the route in the magazine, and a study of the map and the converging contour lines, there was no substitute for the real thing to convince us of our task. A few miles along Lingmell Beck we started the gradual, but nevertheless unridable climb up to Sty Head.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lvYpwzVHEE/TfyLgtvBEGI/AAAAAAAAAB4/kyYG0czu6gg/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lvYpwzVHEE/TfyLgtvBEGI/AAAAAAAAAB4/kyYG0czu6gg/s320/b1.jpg" width="246" /></a>By this time we literally had our heads in the clouds, so no views to compensate for the climb. Alas, when we reached Sty Head the climb wasn't over. There was another 260m of height to be gained before we reached Esk Hause at 75m. This was to be where Ashley achieved an incredible 'head plant' after failing to successfully negotiate a stream, resulting in his bike being stuck vertically, wheel deep in mud, his feet firmly in attached to his pedals and him forming a human bridge over the water!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7A6oRaM3dc/TfyKfaQHwVI/AAAAAAAAABw/ZSGK6ZBIXnI/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7A6oRaM3dc/TfyKfaQHwVI/AAAAAAAAABw/ZSGK6ZBIXnI/s320/21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Ashley negotiate the rocky climb down Rossett Gill</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">After a technical, loose downhill there was another climb up to Rossett Pike. Unfortunately there was not to be the usual reward for gaining so much altitude as the downhill into Mickleden is an incredibly broken and rocky climb-down the top section of Rossett Gill. The well worn track along the valley bottom had been 'improved' by the addition of loose stones. This made it drier but not any easier for walkers and even more difficult for bikes - thank heaven for the suspension!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A welcome sight along the valley is the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. After an orange juice and lemonade (no not a pint of Theakstone's, though the temptation was real) and a short rest, we continued, with the onset of rain, with the remaining section to Ambleside and the Youth Hostel on the banks of Windemere.&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p3a6HCgaZls/TfyNVhLlieI/AAAAAAAAAB8/3qmSbG7NMR4/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p3a6HCgaZls/TfyNVhLlieI/AAAAAAAAAB8/3qmSbG7NMR4/s320/16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival at Ambleside Youth Hostel</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The rain was forecast to continue throughout the night and the following day so we were resigned to the prospect of wearing waterproofs for day three. We spent an our or so on some routine maintenance on the bikes and lubricate the now dry chain and gears. In the absence of any secure storage for the bikes, they had to be partially dismantled and locked in the van for the evening.<br /><br /><i><a href="http://oldmanbigkid.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/sting-in-trail-day-3.html">Day 3 .....</a></i></div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-41698568299949822462011-06-17T08:54:00.000-07:002013-06-28T10:19:13.836-07:00A Sting in the Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Firstly, my apologies for what is essentially very 'old news' but I have just stumbled across my original printed write-up of the off-road ride I did in April 1993. I thought it had been lost forever so I would like to share it with you and indulge my reminiscence ........<br /><br /><i><b>Update</b></i><br /><i>Since publishing this blog, I'm devastated to write that Ashley, our ride companion, and my cycling friend I had the pleasure of mountain biking with for many, many miles, was cruelly taken, too early, too young (49), in June (2013). RIP Ashley. May there be a nice bike and a dance floor up there for you.</i><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Coast to Coast Mountain Bike Challenge</span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">3 RIDERS ON A 142 MILE MTB TRAIL ACROSS COUNTRY - WHITEHAVEN TO SUNDERLAND</span></b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">15th - 19th April 1993 - In aid of the Stroke Association</span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xb3owPkcjSk/Tftlue-wp5I/AAAAAAAAAAg/24i97itcSVI/s1600/van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xb3owPkcjSk/Tftlue-wp5I/AAAAAAAAAAg/24i97itcSVI/s1600/van.jpg" /></a><i><b>The Romans nicked the best route, but then they didn't have bikes and were more interested in building roads than riding off them!</b></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><i><b></b></i>I do not know what it was made us do it - a grave error of judgement, a mood of rashness and overconfidence, or perhaps more realistically, a decadent desire to combine adventure by day with comfort by night. Whatever the reason, our planning and research never prepared us fully for what we we were subsequently to face.&nbsp;The idea was Chris Moody's (a senior designer with Kilvington McCann Design), with whom I had worked with during Newport City Council's Corporate Identity project after he had read an article in Mountain Biking UK about a route researched by Derek Purdy and Adrian Gidney.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">We both agreed that if we were going to undertake such a project, then we should take the opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause and we were to choose the Stroke Association.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">We concluded that four riders would be a sensible and safe number and Chris recruited his brother-in-law Jim, and I invited Ashley, my usual riding companion. Unfortunately Jim was to suffer a hamstring injury a few weeks before the ride which ruled him out. At such a late stage in the planning it proved impossible to find another rider. Nevertheless, we considered three riders to be just as safe a number and so Jim's departure did not affect our plans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTV4GuIlExM/Tfts9KHSx9I/AAAAAAAAAAk/Y-Oihg5rkPE/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTV4GuIlExM/Tfts9KHSx9I/AAAAAAAAAAk/Y-Oihg5rkPE/s320/19.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashley checks the bikes on-route to Whitehaven</td></tr></tbody></table>The route to be taken was split into five daily sections, with pre-booked accommodation at the agreed evening halts. This was not done on an even split of daily mileage, but took account of the different terrain we would encounter as we progressed along the route.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SvAezB2348A/TfyOsLaKdSI/AAAAAAAAACA/WrEKA0K0h5k/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SvAezB2348A/TfyOsLaKdSI/AAAAAAAAACA/WrEKA0K0h5k/s320/18.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul, Sarah and Chris at a service station halt</td></tr></tbody></table>To enable us to travel as light as possible, we had a support vehicle (my suitably decaled VW caravanette) carrying clothing, food, spare parts etc. which met us at the pre-arranged halts. This was driven by a friend of Ashley and myself, Paul, accompanied by his partner Sarah. This allowed us to carry only those essential items needed for that day's ride.<br /><br />The route embraced the same industrial cultures at either side of the country - shipbuilding, coal mining (remember that?) and the smelting of iron ore - yet passed through some of the most spectacular countryside in England.<br /><br />We set off early the morning of Wednesday 14 April from Newport, picked up Chris from the Midlands, and from there went direct to Whitehaven. After a pleasant night's rest in farmhouse accommodation and a hearty English breakfast, the three of us set forth.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>DAY 1 - WHITEHAVEN TO WASDALE HEAD</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-40dbjNOAWD0/TfyGT-j4F6I/AAAAAAAAABo/cLI0DrxD0lM/s1600/day1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-40dbjNOAWD0/TfyGT-j4F6I/AAAAAAAAABo/cLI0DrxD0lM/s1600/day1.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rYoEhFZ19xM/TftwMH2fWNI/AAAAAAAAAAs/3VdoCelwCss/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rYoEhFZ19xM/TftwMH2fWNI/AAAAAAAAAAs/3VdoCelwCss/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our first day's target was to reach Wasdale Head. After a few miles of road we joined the Whitehaven to Ennerdale Cycle path, described in the lierature as "linking the sea to the fells" It climbs gently and led us easily into the challenge. The distant fells of Ennerdale and the Cambrian mountains came into view, got nearer and nearer, and we were into it. From the end of the cycle path, a few miles of tarmac led us to a good forestry road. This took us into the heart of the hills, past Pillar and Steeple on the far side of the lake (Ennerdale Water). As we cleared the forest by Black Sail Hut Youth Hostel we were confronted by Great Gable, one of the giants of the Lake District.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nh6twv_pxYs/Tftz8V8BiAI/AAAAAAAAAAw/EoWutFBcN0I/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nh6twv_pxYs/Tftz8V8BiAI/AAAAAAAAAAw/EoWutFBcN0I/s320/15.jpg" width="320" /></a>The first big test was to start here, 400m beyond the hostel - the climb over Black Sail Pass (569m). It was a daunting prospect after such a leisurely beginning, and there was no way around it! It was a case of shouldering the bikes and heading for what seemed forever upwards, under the gaze of some very bemused hikers - a look we were to get used to as the ride progressed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RGk-PPfwnBs/Tft0yaXbs1I/AAAAAAAAAA0/7XUHgC6phKE/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RGk-PPfwnBs/Tft0yaXbs1I/AAAAAAAAAA0/7XUHgC6phKE/s320/4.jpg" width="242" /></a>The consolation, in addition to the tremendous view down to Wasdale was to be the equally tremendous downhill. The view had to be appreciated from the top, for we needed all our concentration for the descent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Weary, but well satisfied with our progress we arrived at our first night's halt at Wasdale Head. There to meet us in the support vehicle with a welcome cup of tea was Paul and Sarah, a ready-made audience for our tales of the day, not least of which was the climb over Black Sail Pass.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">During our evening meal at our accommodation we chatted to a fellow guest, a frequent visitor to the lakes, who enquired as to our plans. After explaining our purpose and revelling in our self-satisfaction at the climb now behind us, we enquired as to what was before us the next day. She suggested that we wouldn't want to hear, and said no more about it save to suggest we took a packed lunch and some ropes! Before retiring to our beds we indulged in a few pints of Theakston's in the Wasdale Head Inn.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="http://oldmanbigkid.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/sting-in-trail-day-2.html">Day 2......</a></i></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"></span></i>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3238849013310374016.post-56230327768523309542011-04-21T06:22:00.000-07:002011-06-17T08:57:04.876-07:00Tales from the iPad!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRbcIjPbQ50/TbAl5Ox9A9I/AAAAAAAAAAM/h9LAEZF9HUI/s1600/208815_10150174587985944_705335943_8809876_8054817_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRbcIjPbQ50/TbAl5Ox9A9I/AAAAAAAAAAM/h9LAEZF9HUI/s320/208815_10150174587985944_705335943_8809876_8054817_n.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just beginning to get into the whole retirement thing. After 40 years of the routine of working 5 days a week (sometimes more) not having to do that is very liberating. Missing my mates at work, but not the job, which has surprised me. I couldn't get through a day without checking my work emails from home!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I quoted on a final graphic for my management team colleagues "I did my best, those that follow will do better" That 'book' is now written, now for the next one.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Weeks are now strange. A tuesday can feel like a saturday! I think I've had more cappuccinos this last month than in twenty years! If only their wi-fi services were better I would spend even more time in coffee bars! I have a wide selection of cards to stamp for my free tenth cup (make it a large!)</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't think Marg is sick of me yet! I think she's enjoying the company of an adult during the day as well as Emmy and or Deakon. However, given the title of my blog maybe it's no different ;-)&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Been very lucky with the weather so far. Had the first BBQ of 2011 last night, the first of many I hope. BBQ with the family on Sunday at Cwm Carn scenic drive weather permitting.</div>Old man, big kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04232429468140560934noreply@blogger.com1